Apparatus for manipulating receptacles of exposed customer films

ABSTRACT

Drop-in cassettes or analogous receptacles for exposed photographic customer films are processed one after the other in a light-tight enclosure wherein successive receptacles are opened to permit removal of reels with convoluted films thereon so that the films can be withdrawn from the reels and spliced to each other end-to-end to form a continuous web which can be readily conveyed through a developing, printing or copying machine. Each receptacle carries information pertaining to the identity and/or other data concerning the respective customer, and such information is separated from the receptacles prior or during to opening and is attached to the respective films of the web. Alternatively, the information is read at the opening station, stored in a suitable storing device, and exposed onto or punched into the respective films of the web at the splicing station.

United States Patent [1 1 Schlagheck et a1.

[ Oct. 16, 1973 APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING RECEPTACLES OF EXPOSED CUSTOMER FILMS Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, Germany Filed: Sept. 23, 1971 Appl. No.: 182,979

Assignee:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 25, 1970 Germany P 20 47 236.0

US. Cl. 340/ 172.5, 225/93 Int. Cl B26f 3/00, B65h 35/00 Field 0! Search 340/1725; 225/93,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DROP-1N U U CASSETTES OTHER PUBLICATIONS Landers, Russ, Computerized Order Control" in Photo Methods for Industry, V01. 8, No. 9, Sept., 1965, Section 2, P. 10. Harm, John J., Computer Billing in Industrial Photography, Vol. 15, No. 6, June, 1966, pp. 6, 42, 44.

Seng

Primary ExaminerPaul J. Henon Assistant ExaminerMelvin B. Chapnick Attorney-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT Drop-in cassettes or analogous receptacles for exposed photographic customer films are processed one after the other in a light-tight enclosure wherein successive receptacles are opened to permit removal of reels with convoluted films thereon so that the films can be withdrawn from the reels and spliced to each other end-to-end to form a continuous web which can be readily conveyed through a developing, printing or copying machine. Each receptacle carries information pertaining to the identity and/or other data concerning the respective customer, and such information is separated from the receptacles prior or during to opening and is attached to the respective films of the web. Alternatively, the information is read at the opening station, stored in a suitable storing device, and exposed onto or punched into the respective films of the web at the splicing station.

16 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures WEB OF SPLICED- TOGETHER PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM SOURCE OF SUPPLY OF AUXlLlARY WEB ELECTROMAGNET DRIVEN FRICTION WHEEL LEADER OF PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM INVENTOR NORBERT SCHLAGHECK HERBERT SCHULTES APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING RECEPTACLES OF EXPOSED CUSTOMER FILMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manipulating cassettes, cartridges or analogous receptacles for exposed photographic films, especially customer films which are delivered or mailed to a processing laboratory for development and/or the making of prints. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in a method and apparatus for preparing a substantial number of customer films which are confined in light-tight receptacles for development and/or other treatment in a continuous developing, printing or copying machine.

Cameras employing roll film which is confined in cassettes, cartridges or analogous light-tight receptacles are becoming increasingly popular with amateur photographers. Such cameras can be readily loaded simply by inserting a fresh receptacle into the camera body, and the receptacles with exposed but undeveloped film can be delivered or mailed to a processing laboratory without necessitating any rewinding or similar manipulation of the exposed film. Many presently popular receptacles for roll film comprise a substantially U- shaped casing having two enlarged portions one of which contains a supply reel and the other of which contains a takeup reel, and a flat median portion having a window which allows incoming scene light to impinge upon successive frames of that portion of the film which extends between the supply and takeup reels. In many instances, the film is convoluted with and moves lengthwise with a backing strip of paper or the like.

Economical development and copying of films can be achieved by connecting a substantial number of exposed films end-to-end so as to form an elongated web which is transported through a developing machine and, if necessary, through a copying or printing machine. It is already known to employ in a photographic processing laboratory a complete production line which is utilized to effect rapid development of customer films, the making of prints from developed films, and the packing of films and prints into customer envelopes. Such automatic operation is practical and economical only if the films are united end-to-end to form a continuous web. The heretofore known methods and apparatus for uniting customer films end-to-end have failed to gain widespread acceptance, either because of the complexity of equipment and/or because of frequent malfunction, particularly as concerns false labelling of films and introduction of developed films and prints into wrong envelopes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved method of manipulating receptacles which contain exposed customer films and of uniting such films end-to-end to form a continuous web which can be introduced into a modern developing, printing or like machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of manipulating the information which is associated with each receptacle for exposed customer film to identify the customer, to record the customer's address and/or account number, to record the number of prints desired, and/or to furnish other data.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of identifying the films which form a continuous web by data containing the information which identifies the customer and/or pertains to other facts facilitating proper manipulation of films and/or prints which are obtainedby copying the images of film frames.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus which can be utilized for the practice of the above outlined method.

A further object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel means for insuring that each of a series of films which form a continuous web is properly identified prior to its introduction into a developing, printing, copying or like machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the assembly of exposed customer films into a continuous web takes place in a fully automatic way and wherein each film of the web is automatically identified by data which facilitate proper classifcation of developed films and/or prints which are obtained from such films.

The method of the present invention serves to prepare for development, printing, copying and/or other treatment a substantial number of exposed customer films which are confined in light-tight cassettes, cartridges or analogous receptacles. The method comprises the steps of conveying a series of film-containing receptacles along a predetermined path together with data pertaining at least to the identities of the respective customers, storing the data which are associated with successive receptacles, opening successive receptacles and removing the films from the thus opened receptacles, uniting the removed successive films into an elongated web, and applying the data to the respective films of the web.

The data may be originally attached to the respective receptacles, or such data may be applied to or may form part of boxes or analogous containers for the receptacles and are separated from the receptacles or from the containers prior to opening of the respective receptacles.

The opening step may comprise breaking or cracking the receptacles, especially if such receptacles consist of relatively brittle synthetic plastic material.

The uniting step may comprise splicing the ends of successive films to each other by resorting to adhesivecoated uniting bands, and the applying step may comprise bringing the data into contact with the uniting bands for the respective films.

The data can be conveyed independently of the films along a separate path which merges into the path for the films at the point or station where the films are united to form a continuous web which is transported lengthwise to pass through a developing, printing, copying and/or other processing machine.

In accordance with a modification of the just outlined method, the data are attached to the respective receptacles and contain information which can be read by an automatic reader, e.g., a photoelectric reader. The storing step may comprise reading the data not later than during opening of the respective receptacles and storing the thus obtained information, and the applying step then comprises applying the stored information to the respective films, for example, by encoding the information in the films by punching so that the encoded information can be decoded by an automatic reader or by exposing the information onto a still unexposed portion of the respective film, preferably in such a way that the exposed information can be decoded by an automatic reader.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the carrier of information may be in the form of a tag or the like which is attachable to and separable from receptacles for confined exposed photographic roll films. The width of such information carriers preferably equals or closely approximates the width of the respective films, and the information on such carriers can be in the form of photoelectrically readable data. Each information carrier can be provided with a lighttransmitting adhesive-coated uniting band which can serve to attach two films end-to-end and is applied over the respective data in such a way that the data can be detected by an automatic reader through the uniting band.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the fol lowing detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING:

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal vertical sectional view of an apparatus which embodies the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of certain details at the receptacle-opening station of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus which serves to manipulate receptacles 4 in the form of so-called drop-in containers or cartridges which are employed in many still cameras. Each such receptacle comprises a casing 104 having two enlarged portions one of which accommodates a supply reel and the other of which accommodates a takeup reel (see FIG. 2), and an intermediate portion which is provided with a window to enable scene light to reach a film frame which extends between the supply and takeup reels. Each of the receptacles 4 shown in FIG. 1 is assumed to contain exposed customer film F which is convoluted on the respective talteup reel 20. Each receptacle 4 is further connected with a separable sheet or tag 4a which serves as a carrier of information or data identifying the customer, the address of the customer, the number of the prints desired, the account to be charged, the nature of shipment desired, and/or other information. In the illustrated embodiment, the tags 4a are attached directly to the casings 104 of the respective receptacles 4, but it is equally within the purview of the invention to apply data to boxes or containers or bags for receptacles which contain exposed film. The information on the tags 4a can be in the form of handwriting or in the form of symbols which can be read by automatic machinery. It is assumed that the tags 4a are applied by the personnel accepting receptacles 4 with exposed films from customers or by persons in charge of opening the mail. Each tag 40 extends beyond the respective receptacle 4 in a predetermined direction so that it can be readily separated from such receptacle and properly transported during movement toward a uniting or splicing station 13 where it is attached to the respective exposed film F.

The apparatus of FIG. 1 comprises a light-tight enclosure 1 having a suitable inlet 2 for introduction of successive receptacles 4 which are maintained in a predetermined orientation so that (in the illustrated embodiment) the tags 4a extend rearwardly. The conveyor which introduces successive receptacles 4 into the housing 1 by moving them through the inlet 2 is a vibrating trough 3 whereon the receptacles 4 advance in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The inlet 2 is properly sealed to prevent entry of actinic light into the interior of the housing 1 where the receptacles 4 are opened and the exposed films F removed so that they can be joined end-to-end to form a continuous web W which is ready for introduction into a developing machine, not shown. The conveyor 3 can receive receptacles 4 from a further conveyor, e.g., a feeder in the form of a vibrating magazine or hopper, or the receptacles 4 can be placed onto the conveyor 3 by one or more attendants.

Successive receptacles 4 which enter the housing 1 by way of the inlet 2 move past a separating device or transfer device 5 having a vertically reciprocable knife 6 which serves to separate the tags 4a from the corresponding receptacles and to introduce such tags into a chute 7 wherein the tags descend to reach the upper stretch of an endless data-storing conveyor belt 8 and to advance with such belt toward the splicing station 13. The knife 6 can detach, break or cut the tags 40 off the casings 104 of the respective receptacles 4. The duct 7 causes each tag 4a to descend therein in a predetermined orientation and the tags retain such orientation during transport by the conveyor belt 8 toward the splicing station 13. At this station, successive films F are united end-to-end by adhesive-coated uniting bands 9 which are supplied by a further conveyor including a flexible carrier 14 having its leading and trailing ends respectively attached to the cores of two spools l6 and 15. That portion of the carrier 14 which is convoluted onto the core of the spool 15 is provided with equidistant uniting bands 9 of predetermined size and shape, and a uniting band is removed from the carrier 14 at the splicing station 13 to connect the trailing end of a preceding film F to the leading end 33 (see FIG. 2) of a next-following film F when such ends arrive at the station 13. If desired, the conveyor including the flexible carrier 14 can be dispensed with; the conveyor belt 8 (or a similar conveyor for the tags 4a) then serves to transport to the splicing station 13 successive tags 40 which are separated from the casings 104 of the associated receptacles 4 by the knife 6 as well as uniting bands 9 which are used to splice the ends of films F to each other and to simultaneously secure the tags 4a to the respective films. The tags 4a are attached to the respective uniting bands 9 in a predetermined orientation which is particularly important if the information on such tags is encoded so as to be interpreted by an automatic decoding device. As a rule, the tags 4a are attached to the respective films F so that two of their edges are exactly parallel with the adjoining edges of the respective uniting bands 9. The length of each uniting band 9 is selected in such a way that the bands can properly adhere to the respective tags 4a and can extend beyond both ends of the thus attached tags to insure satisfactory splicing of the respective films F to each other.

The receptacles 4 which are separated from the respective data (tags 4a) are transported to an opening station wherein the takeup reels are removed from the respective casings 104 and the convoluted films F are withdrawn from the takeup reels 20 for transport along a predetermined path toward the splicing station 13. Certain parts which are mounted at the opening station 10 are shown in detail in FIG. 2. The FIG. 1 merely shows a vertically movable ram 1 1 which has a serrated lower end portion and serves to crack open or to completely break the casings 104 so as to afford access to the respective takeup reels 20. The exact manner in which the casings 104 are opened by cracking or complete breakage into two or more discrete fragments forms no part of the present invention. Many opening devices for the casings of drop-in cartridges or cassettes for photographic film are known for example from U. S. Pat. No. 3,580,443 and widely used in processing laboratories. It is assumed that the ram 1] cracks the casings 104 of successive receptacles 4 to such an extent that a bearing device including two arms 18 (FIG. 2) can properly engage the ends of a takeup reel 20 so that the reel can be rotated in a direction to pay out the film F. The remaining parts of the opened receptacles 4 (namely, the casings 104 and the supply reels in such casings) are permitted to descend into a chute or duct 12 to be conveyed to a salvaging station where the usable parts can be recovered for renewed use or for use in the manufacture of fresh receptacles.

The splicing station 13 accommodates any one of many known automatic splicing devices which are capable of uniting the films F end-to-end and of simultaneously attaching the tags 4a to the respective films so as to insure that each film is properly identified and can be automatically introduced into an envelope bearing the address and/or name of the customer. Reference may be had to German Utility Model No. 1,954,28] which discloses a splicing device capable of being used at the station 13 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. As mentioned before, the flexible carrier 14 constitutes an optional feature of the apparatus because the uniting bands 9 can be furnished by the conveyor belt 8 in such a way that successive bands 9 are connected with successive tags 4a before they reach (or not later than when they reach) the splicing station 13.

FIG. 1 further shows a source of supply 1 17 of a convoluted auxiliary web 17 which is utilized to pass through the housing 1 and a developing or other processing machine in the absence of films F. This insures that the leading end of a freshly introduced film which was removed from the foremost one of a substantial number of receptacles 4 can be properly threaded through the housing 1 and through the next-following processing machine or machines. The transverse dimensions of the auxiliary web 17 preferably match or approximate those of a film F. The presence of the web 17 becomes important when the feeding of receptacles 4 into the inlet 2 is interrupted for a relatively short interval of time; the auxiliary web 17 then takes the place of missing films F by being automatically attached to the trailing end of the rearmost film as well as to the leading end of the next following film which is spaced from the preceding film so that it cannot be directly spliced thereto. The auxiliary web 17 can be used with advantage in apparatus which supply a web W of films F to a developing or like processing apparatus of relatively small capacity.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aforementioned bearing for takeup reels 20 which are removed from freshly opened receptacles 4 at the station 10 comprises two arms 18 having axially aligned pins 19 which can penetrate into the ends of central openings in the cores of the reels 20 to hold a thus engaged reel 20 for rotation about its axis. The manner in which the pins 19 can be into and withdrawn from the openings of the cores of the reels 20 forms no part of the present invention. A driven friction wheel 21 is mounted on a lever 22 which is biased in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, by a helical spring 22a. The wheel 21 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 23 and is movable into frictional engagement with the outermost convolution of the film F on a takeup reel 20 which is held by the pins 19 of the arms 18. Such rotation of the wheel 21 causes the reel 20 to pay out the film F whereby the leading end or leader 33 of the film exhibits a natural tendency to curl upwardly and to pass along the idler roller 26 of an electric switch 27 mounted on a chute 28 for reception of backing strips B which are separated from the films F at the opening station 10. The means for rotating the friction wheel 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow 23 may comprise a suitable belt drive, not shown. A tongue-like deflector 25 is pivotable on a horizontal pin 29 and is biased in a clockwise direction by a helical spring 24 so that its left-hand end portion or tip normally bears against the outermost convolution of film F which is convoluted on the core of the takeup reel 20 held by the pins 19 of the arms 18. When the reel 20 is driven by the friction wheel 21, it rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, whereby the leader of the backing strip B and thereupon the leader 33 of the film F moves away from the core of the reel 20 and is caused to advance along a predetermined path. The roller 26 of the switch 27 is mounted below the deflector 25 at such a level that the leader of the backing strip B as well as the leader 33 of the film F is free to advance in a direction to the right by moving in the space between the roller 26 and the deflector 25.

The deflector 25 is followed by a pivotable switching device 127 in the form of a plate which can turn about the aforementioned pivot pin 29 and is articulately connected with the armature 30 of an electromagnet 32. The switching device 127 can seal the inlet to a channel 31 wherein the leader 33 of the film F can advance toward the splicing station 13. An aperture 127a of the switching device 127 permits the passage of an extension or prong 30a which is provided on the armature 30 and can extend to the illustrated position in which it serves as an abutment or stop for the leader 33. The dimensions of the chute 28 below the switching device 127 are selected in such a way that this chute allows for practically unimpeded coiling of the backing strip B into a roll 34 which thereupon descends by gravity to enter the chute 12 of FIG. 1 or to be delivered to another collecting station.

When the electromagnet 32 is energized in response to downward movement of the roller 26 which thereby closes the switch 27, the switching plate 127 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, and allows the leader 33 of a film F to enter the inlet of the channel 31 for transport toward the splicing station 13 in response to rotation of the reel 20 between the arms 18 under the action of the friction wheel 21. When the electromagnet 32 is energized, the prong 30a of the armature 30 is retracted into or beyond the opening 127:: of the switching plate 127 so that this prong cannot interfere with entry of a leader 33 into the channel 31.

THE. OPERATION A receptacle 4 which is already provided with a data carrying tag 4a is deposited onto the vibrating conveyor 3 and passes through the inlet 2 of the enclosure 1 to advance toward the separating device 5. The receptacle 4 is arrested when the tag 40 overlies the chute 7 and the knife 6 is thereupon caused to descend and to separate the tag 4a which descends onto the upper stretch of the data-storing conveyor belt 8. The speeds of successive films F, successive adhesive-coated uniting bands 9 and successive tags 4a are synchronized in such a way that a tag 4a which advances along the path defined by the upper stretch of the conveyor belt 8 reaches the splicing station 13 at the exact moment when or even before a uniting band 9 is ready to be attached to the associated film F. [t is immaterial whether the tag 40 reaches the station 13 simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the leader or with the trailing end of the respective film F.

The receptacle 4 from which the tag 4a has been removed by the knife 6 advances into the range of the ram 11 which performs a downward stroke and cracks or destroys the respective casing 104 to such an extent that the takeup reel can be withdrawn and engaged by the arms 18 of the bearing whereby the pins 19 enter the respective ends of the central opening in the core of the reel 20. The casing 104 descends in the duct 12. The reel 20 which is held by the pins 19 of the arms 18 supports a supply of convoluted film F and a supply of convoluted backing strip B whereby the leader of the backing strip B normally extends forwardly beyond the leader 33 of the film F. Thus, as the outermost convolution of the strip B is engaged by the driven friction wheel 21 which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 23 and is biased against the outermost convolution of the strip B by the spring 220, the leader of the backing strip B advances along the underside of the deflector 25 and above the roller 26 without, however, depressing the roller 26, i.e., without actuating the switch 27. The front edge portion of the leader of the backing strip B reaches the abutment 30a of the armature 30 and is caused to flex downwardly against the wheel 26. The stifiness of the backing strip B is normally negligible so that the leader of this strip is incapable of displacing the roller 26 downwardly and away from the deflector 25. The backing strip B normally consists of relatively thin and readily flexible paper sheet stock. The leader of the strip B is curved in such a way that its concave side faces upwardly and, as the friction wheel 21 continues to feed successive increments of the strip B into the upper end of the cute 28, the weight of the thus introduced material suffices to cause the gradually growing roll 34 of paper to descend by gravity so that the strip B is spaced from the abutment 30a.

The leader 33 of the film F on the reel 20 which is held by the pins 19 of the arms 18 can be engaged and deflected by the tip of the spring-biased deflector 25 after the chute 28 accumulates a certain length of convoluted backing strip B. The thus deflected leader 33 also advances through the space between the underside of the deflector 25 and the roller 26, and its front edge face moves against the abutment 30a. The stiffness of the leader 33 normally greatly exceeds the stifl'ness of the backing strip B so that the loop which is formed by the leader 33 in response to engagement with the abutment 30a and in response to further rotation of the reel 20 in a direction to pay out the film F causes the looped leader 33 to depress the roller 26 whereby the switch 27 automatically completes the circuit of the electromagnet 32. The latter is energized and moves the armature 30 upwardly whereby the switching plate 127 moves in a counterclockwise direction and the abutment 30a is retracted into or is lifted upwardly and beyond the aperture 127a so that the leader 33 automatically finds its way into the channel 31 and advances toward the splicing station 13 in response to further unwinding of film F by the rotating friction wheel 21. The circuit of the electromagnet 32 preferably comprises a holding contact (not shown) which remains closed and thus prevents deenergization of the electromagnet 32 as long as the reel 20 is held by the arms 18. In other words, the switching plate 127 allows the film F to enter the channel 31 as long as such film is being paid out by the respective takeup reel 20.

When the electromagnet 32 is energized, the switch ing plate 127 is preferably arrested by the armature 30 in such angular position that its underside automatically guides the leader 33 into the channel 31. It will be noted that, in FIG. 2, the leader 33 exhibits the tendency to curl upwardly so that its front edge face abuts against the underside of the switching plate 127 during travel toward the inlet of the channel 31. The roll 34 of convoluted backing strip B cannot interfere with such lengthwise movement of the leader 33 and/or the remaining portion of the film F because the weight of the roll 34 increases in response to continued rotation of the reel 20 between the arms 18 and the growing roll 34 descends further away from the path for the film F below the deflector 25 and switching plate 127.

The drive for the friction wheel 21 is arrested in automatic response to entry of the leader 33 into the splicing station 13. The means for effecting such stoppage of the drive for the friction wheel 21 may comprise a photoelectric detector or the like, not shown. The splicing operation is carried out in response to downward movement of a splicing member 113 which is reciprocable at the station 13 and serves to attach the foremost uniting band 9 to the adjoining leading and trailing ends of two films F as well as to a tag 40 which thereby adheres to the leading or trailing end of the respective film. The unwinding of film F from the reel 20 between the arms 18 at the opening station 10 is continued upon completion of the splicing operation at the station 13. When the film F is completely detached from the core of the takeup reel 20 between the arms 18, the backing strip B is also detached and the roll 34 of such backing strip descends in the chute 28. The empty takeup reel 20 is then separated from the pins 19 of the arms 18 and is allowed or caused to enter the duct 12. The arms 18 then move to receiving positions in which they are ready to accept and to hold the takeup reel 20 which was removed from the casing 104 of the next-following receptacle 4.

It is clear that the mechanical detector (roller 26) for the flexibility of films F and backing strips B can be re placed by other types of detectors which can discriminate between other characteristics of a paper strip and a photographic film. For example, the detector including the roller 26 and switch 27 can be replaced by a photoelectric detector which can discriminate between the smoothness, opacity, reflectivity, conductivity and- /or other characteristics of the strip B and film F. All that counts is to energize the electromagnet 32 or analogous means for moving the switching plate 127 from the illustrated arresting position when the leader 33 of a film F is ready to enter the channel 31 in order to advance toward the splicing station 13.

The auxiliary web I7 is employed when necessary as a substitute for one or more films F. The leader of the auxiliary web 17 is held ready at the splicing station 13 and is attached to the trailing end of the last film F of a series if such film is not immediately followed by a further film. The auxiliary web 17 is being withdrawn from the roll 117 until a new film F enters the splicing station 13 on its way from the opening station or when the last film F of the preceding series has moved through and beyond the developing machine which receives the web W. The apparatus is then automatically arrested and the auxiliary web 17 extends from the splicing station 13 into the developing machine so that it can entrain the leader of the first film F of the next series of films when the apparatus is started again.

lf the information on the tags 4a is of such nature that it can be read and evaluated by automatic photoelectric or other scanning devices, the tags 4a are preferably overlapped by the respective uniting bands 9 in such way that the uniting bands protect the information against the action of chemicals in the developing machine. Such photo-electrically readable information is preferably in the form of dark or white symbols which can be readily distinguished from the less opaque or darker surroundings on the web W. The width of the tags 4a and uniting bands 9 preferably equals or approximates the width of the films F.

The structure which is shown in FIG. 2 can be used in many other types of apparatus wherein the leaders of convoluted films must be deflected and thereupon guided along a predetermined path toward a splicing station. For example, such devices can be used in connection with film wherein the information pertaining to customers, exposure factors and/or others is exposed directly onto the photosensitive material of a film. Also, such information can be punched into each film or into the uniting bands 9 so that the tags 4a need not first be separated or diverted from the associated receptacles and thereupon attached to the respective films. The opening station 10 may accommodate an automatic reader according to German Patent Publication 1,185,472 which reads the information on tags 4a or on containers for receptacles 4 and furnishes the thus detected information to a signal storing device. The latter stores such information until the leading or trailing end of the respective film is removed from the corresponding takeup reel 20. The information is then permanently encoded in the leading or trailing end of the respective film, such as by resorting to a puncher or perforator or to a device which exposes the information on an unexposed portion of the respective film. Furthermore, the information which is stored in such storing device can be transferred onto uniting bands which are thereupon attached to the respective films.

If the information pertaining to customers is stored on or in boxes, bags or analogous containers for the receptacles 4, the information can be detached or severed from the containers not later than at the opening station 10 and transported by the conveyor 8 to the splicing station 13 for application to the leading or trailing ends of the respective films. As mentioned before, the information on containers for the receptacles 4 can also be read at the station 10, stored in a suitable storing device, and encoded on the leading or trailing portions of the respective films at the splicing station 13 or upstream of the splicing station. The information which is retrieved from the containers can be encoded in the uniting bands 9 prior to attachment of such bands to the respective films.

An advantage of the feature that the data pertaining to customers are attached to the web W between successive films F is that such data do not interfere with the development of exposed film frames and/or with the making of prints, as well as that the necessary information is immediately at hand when the processing of films is completed. Such information will normally contain the name and/or address of the customer, the account of the customer and/or the correction factors for proper exposure of prints.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended 1. Apparatus for preparing for development or copying a substantial number of exposed customer films which are convoluted in reels each of which is confined in a discrete receptacle and carries a convoluted backing strip for the respective film with the leader of the convoluted backing strip extending forwardly beyond the leader of the respective film, and wherein each receptacle is associated with data pertaining at least to the identity of the respective customer, comprising an enclosure which is sealed against entry of actinic light: first conveyor means for introducing into said enclosure a succession of receptacles and associated data; second conveyor means provided in said enclosure; transfer means for transferring successive data from said first conveyor means onto said second conveyor means; opening means provided in said enclosure and including means for removing reels with exposed films and backing strips from successive receptacles, bearing means for holding successively removed reels, and means for introducing the leaders of films on the reels held by said bearing means into a predetermined path wherein the films advance lengthwise, including means for preventing the leaders of backing strips from entering said path and splicing means for connecting the films in said path end-to-end to form a continuous web and for applying successive data supplied by said second conveyor means to the respective films of said web.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said splicing means is arranged to connect the films end-toend and to attach said data by means of adhesivecoated uniting bands.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for introducing the leaders of films into said predetermined path comprises means for rotating the reels which are held by said bearing means in a direction to pay out the film and deflector means for deflecting the leaders of films on the thus rotated reels toward said path.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for rotating the reels comprises a rotary member which engages the roll of convoluted film on the reel held by said bearing means and further comprising means for biasing said deflector means against such roll of convoluted film.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for introducing the leaders of films into said predetermined path further comprises a switching device movable between a first position in which it obstructs the inlet of said path and a second position in which it allows the leaders of films to enter said path.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said backing strips exhibit a tendency to curl and further comprising means defining in said enclosure a space for coiling of the backing strips which are being paid out by the reels held by said bearing means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising detector means arranged to discriminate between said backing strips and the leaders of the respective films and to effect the movement of said switching device to said second position in response to detection of such leaders to thus allow for unobstructed travel of said films along said predetermined path.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the stiffness of said backing strips differs from the stiffness of the respective films and said detector means is arranged to discriminate between such stiffnesses.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for preventing the leaders of backing strips from entering said predetermined path comprises an abutment for the leaders of said backing strips and said films, said means for introducing further comprising means for moving said abutment to a retracted position in response to movement of said switching device to said second position.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second conveyor means comprises an endless conveyor.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said splicing means is arranged to connect the films end-toend and to attach said data by means of adhesivecoated uniting bands supplied by said endless conveyor.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a source of supply of an auxiliary web, said splicing means being arranged to connect said auxiliary web to the trailing end of the last film of a preceding firstmentioned web and to the leading end of the foremost film of a next-following first-mentioned web.

13. Apparatus for preparing for development or copying a substantial number of exposed customer films which are convoluted on reels each of which is confined in a discrete receptacle and carries a convoluted backing strip for the respective film with the leader of the backing strip extending forwardly beyond the leader of the respective film, and wherein each receptacle is provided with a carrier of information pertaining at least to the identity of the respective customer, comprising an enclosure which is sealed against entry of actinic light; conveyor means for introducing into said enclosure a succession of receptacles and associated carriers of information, opening means provided in said enclosure and including means for removing reels with exposed strips and backing strips from successive receptacles, bearing means for holding successively removed reels, and means for introducing the leaders of successive films on the reels held by said bearing means into a predetermined path wherein the films advance lengthwise, including means for preventing leaders of backing strips'on the reels held by said bearing means from entering said path; splicing means for connecting the films in said path end-to-end to form a continuous web; means for decoding the information on carriers associated with successively opened receptacles; means for storing the thus decoded information; and means for applying the information stored by said storing means to the respective films of said web.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said information applying means comprises a punching device arranged to apply to said films information in the form of data which are detectable by an automatic reader.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said films has a leading portion and a trailing portion and said information applying means is arranged to apply the information to one portion of the respective film.

16. Apparatus for manipulating successive exposed customer films which are convoluted on discrete reels each of which carries a convoluted backing strip for the respective film with the leader of the backing strip extending forwardly beyond the leader of the respective film, comprising bearing means for holding successive reels means for introducing the leaders of films on the reels held by said bearing means into a predetermined path wherein the films advance lengthwise, including means for preventing the leaders of backing strips on the reels held by said bearing means from entering said path; and splicing means for connecting the films in said path end-to-end to form a continuous web.

* k Ilr t 

1. Apparatus for preparing for development or copying a substantial number of exposed customer films which are convoluted in reels each of which is confined in a discrete receptacle and carries a convoluted backing strip for the respective film with the leader of the convoluted backing strip extending forwardly beyond the leader of the respective film, and wherein each receptacle is associated with data pertaining at least to the identity of the respective customer, comprising an enclosure which is sealed against entry of actinic light; first conveyor means for introducing into said enclosure a succession of receptacles and associated data; Second conveyor means provided in said enclosure; transfer means for transferring successive data from said first conveyor means onto said second conveyor means; opening means provided in said enclosure and including means for removing reels with exposed films and backing strips from successive receptacles, bearing means for holding successively removed reels, and means for introducing the leaders of films on the reels held by said bearing means into a predetermined path wherein the films advance lengthwise, including means for preventing the leaders of backing strips from entering said path ; and splicing means for connecting the films in said path end-to-end to form a continuous web and for applying successive data supplied by said second conveyor means to the respective films of said web.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said splicing means is arranged to connect the films end-to-end and to attach said data by means of adhesive-coated uniting bands.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for introducing the leaders of films into said predetermined path comprises means for rotating the reels which are held by said bearing means in a direction to pay out the film and deflector means for deflecting the leaders of films on the thus rotated reels toward said path.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for rotating the reels comprises a rotary member which engages the roll of convoluted film on the reel held by said bearing means and further comprising means for biasing said deflector means against such roll of convoluted film.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for introducing the leaders of films into said predetermined path further comprises a switching device movable between a first position in which it obstructs the inlet of said path and a second position in which it allows the leaders of films to enter said path.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said backing strips exhibit a tendency to curl and further comprising means defining in said enclosure a space for coiling of the backing strips which are being paid out by the reels held by said bearing means.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising detector means arranged to discriminate between said backing strips and the leaders of the respective films and to effect the movement of said switching device to said second position in response to detection of such leaders to thus allow for unobstructed travel of said films along said predetermined path.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the stiffness of said backing strips differs from the stiffness of the respective films and said detector means is arranged to discriminate between such stiffnesses.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for preventing the leaders of backing strips from entering said predetermined path comprises an abutment for the leaders of said backing strips and said films, said means for introducing further comprising means for moving said abutment to a retracted position in response to movement of said switching device to said second position.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second conveyor means comprises an endless conveyor.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said splicing means is arranged to connect the films end-to-end and to attach said data by means of adhesive-coated uniting bands supplied by said endless conveyor.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a source of supply of an auxiliary web, said splicing means being arranged to connect said auxiliary web to the trailing end of the last film of a preceding first-mentioned web and to the leading end of the foremost film of a next-following first-mentioned web.
 13. Apparatus for preparing for development or copying a substantial number of exposed customer films which are convoluted on reels each of which is confined in a discrete receptacle and carries a convoluted backing strip For the respective film with the leader of the backing strip extending forwardly beyond the leader of the respective film, and wherein each receptacle is provided with a carrier of information pertaining at least to the identity of the respective customer, comprising an enclosure which is sealed against entry of actinic light; conveyor means for introducing into said enclosure a succession of receptacles and associated carriers of information; opening means provided in said enclosure and including means for removing reels with exposed strips and backing strips from successive receptacles, bearing means for holding successively removed reels, and means for introducing the leaders of successive films on the reels held by said bearing means into a predetermined path wherein the films advance lengthwise, including means for preventing leaders of backing strips on the reels held by said bearing means from entering said path; splicing means for connecting the films in said path end-to-end to form a continuous web; means for decoding the information on carriers associated with successively opened receptacles; means for storing the thus decoded information; and means for applying the information stored by said storing means to the respective films of said web.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said information applying means comprises a punching device arranged to apply to said films information in the form of data which are detectable by an automatic reader.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said films has a leading portion and a trailing portion and said information applying means is arranged to apply the information to one portion of the respective film.
 16. Apparatus for manipulating successive exposed customer films which are convoluted on discrete reels each of which carries a convoluted backing strip for the respective film with the leader of the backing strip extending forwardly beyond the leader of the respective film, comprising bearing means for holding successive reels ; means for introducing the leaders of films on the reels held by said bearing means into a predetermined path wherein the films advance lengthwise, including means for preventing the leaders of backing strips on the reels held by said bearing means from entering said path; and splicing means for connecting the films in said path end-to-end to form a continuous web. 